We already brought you part one of our list of 15 things you probably did not know about Bon Jovi, and now we’re back with part two! Check out eight more fascinating facts about the band’s namesake, Jon Bon Jovi, that you definitely (probably) did not know below. You might be surprised by what you find out!
Number Eight: He Worked With Cher. After he and his band became successful, Bon Jovi was asked to help produce Cher’s self-titled album. The album was released in 1987.
Number Seven: He Had to Take Steroids on Tour. Because Bon Jovi goes all out when he performs live, he had some issues with his vocal chords when he was touring in 1987. He was prescribed steroids, and with the help of a vocal coach, he was able to finish the tour.
Number Six: They Were Not Always Going to Be Bon Jovi. Before they were Bon Jovi, the band was going to call themselves Johnny Electric. However, a friend suggested that Bon Jovi follow in Van Halen’s footsteps and use their lead singer’s last name. Looks like that was a rather wise decision.
Number Five: Their Second Album Was Quite Literary. Bon Jovi’s second album is titled 7800 Fahrenheit, and it was named after the iconic Ray Bradbury novel, Fahrenheit 451. Books catch fire at 451 degrees Fahrenheit and most rocks begin to melt at 7800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Number Four: They Almost Gave Away One of Their Most Famous Songs. Bon Jovi’s single, “You Give Love a Bad Name,” almost wasn’t theirs. They nearly gave the song away to the band Loverboy before coming to their senses and deciding to keep it for themselves.
Number Three: Their Fourth Album Holds an Interesting Distinction. Bon Jovi’s fourth album, New Jersey, was actually the very first rock album to be released in the U.S.S.R. pre-Glasnost.
Number Two: Tico Torres Is a Painter. Though Jon Bon Jovi has a well-known acting career, and Richie Sambora has several well-documented solo projects, did you know that drummer Tico Torres is actually a painter on the side? He has sold and exhibited art for more than 20 years.
Number One: Their International Fanbase Has Different Tastes. Though Bon Jovi is most well known in America for their albums Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, in Japan, Europe and Australia, their most famous album is Crush.